Mitra appeared as the live action model for Lara Croft, the lead character in Eidos Interactive's Tomb Raider video game series before Angelina Jolie took the role for the two Tomb Raider films (2001–2003). Mitra was ranked No. 46 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2001. She played the romantic interest of Christopher Lambert in Beowulf. Her first main role came as Scott Wolf's illicit love interest on Party of Five. In 2000, Mitra had a small role in the film Hollow Man, as a neighbour sexually assaulted by Kevin Bacon's character. She had a main role in the medical drama Gideon's Crossing, as Dr. Alejandra "Ollie" Klein. Mitra then had roles in Ali G Indahouse, Sweet Home Alabama, Stuck on You, and leading roles in Highwaymen and Spartacus. Mitra appeared in the final season of The Practice as Tara Wilson, and continued that role into its spin-off Boston Legal, but left not long into the second season. In 2005, Mitra played the role of Kit McGraw during Season 3 of Nip/Tuck. Mitra then went on to appear in Skinwalkers, The Number 23 and Shooter.